Thursday, March 03, 2011

Tonight Clay was quintessential "Clay Aiken." He was funny, even more than funny. When he sang the fun songs, he had us in stitches and when he switched to the ballads, he wrapped a perfect voice around our hearts.

He was perfection and reminded us once again why we're here and still spending our children's inheritances eight years later. -- canuck2010

In addition to the Canadian's concert report from her iPad, below are some of the musical/banter highlights from Wednesday's show videoed by Scarlett. For downloads of these and other files from the show, see her Fort Wayne doc.

Clay performs a fan favorite, 'Mack the Knife.'View video full screen at the Wowzers4Clay Channel on YouTube.

Clay sings 'You Don't Have to Say You Love Me.'View video full screen at YouTube.

luckiest1: The concert was amazing. [Due to a medical emergency in the second row the night before] ... Clay warned all of us in that row to watch out. We were hooting and hollering at him; it was great energy, and he was soaking it up.

He got so far into his explanation of the Clay Aiken Medley and then, just out of the blue, said he had to take his tie off because it made him look three months pregnant. He'd seen the pictures. It was hilarious.

The 'Who's Sorry Now' portion was hysterical. He did some deep knee bends and growly notes in the "old school funk," and he did some great hip shakes in the "merengue."

The whole concert was just fantastic, every song, every bit of banter, I was totally and completely mesmerized the whole night.

Clay explains the plan for 'Who's Sorry Now.'See video by Scarlett at YouTube.

'Who's Sorry Now' in the Merengue style.Full screen video can be viewed here.

'Who's Sorry Now in Old School Funk style.Full screen version is available at YouTube.

Fort Wayne Set List

Where Do I Begin (Love Story Theme)Mack The KnifeThere's A Kind Of HushYou Don't Have To Say You Love MeBreaking Up Is Hard To Do

Jazzy Medley [The Way, This Is the Night, Measure of a Man, On My Way Here, A Thousand Days, Invisible]

Something About UsFoggy Day In London Town (Quiana)

Auto Tune: I've Got A Feelin'

Suspicious MindsBuild Me Up ButtercupIt's ImpossibleMoon River

Who's Sorry NowIt's Only Make BelieveCan't Take My Eyes Off YouCry Me A River (Quiana)Crying (Clay and Quiana)

Band Intros

Unchained MelodyMistyIn My Life

Photos of Clay and Quiana Parler, his backup singing partner, from the Fort Wayne T&T Concert are by toni7babe, 1; Shamrock, 2; bottlecap, 3, 5; and cindilu2, 4. All are expandable.

Below are the remaining concerts of the 22-city supporting the Decca Tried & True release:

This concert series remains my all-time favorite. I'm deeply grateful to Scarlett for providing the nearly instant videos. Now I can see and hear Clay's performances as I read the attendees recaps in your next-day blog, Caro.

I've no idea how Scarlett manages to travel to each performance, tape, render and upload videos, and be ready for the next one.

We ended sitting in 6th row behind the pit. It was really good seat for viewing OMC,but not good for cell phone pictures. sorry.

Our M&G went well. Clay seems much younger that close maybe 25. He was very attentive and charming. His southern accent seemed more pronounced than it is on stage. Just acts like the boy next type of a guy. I asked him if he could tell us what was next for he said no he couldn't say anything. At least he has plans. He kept asking if we had anymore questions, my mind was a blank until later.

The audience lively last night and that just egged him on. He looked to really enjoying himself. He went to town on Invisible. wow.

I have to REPEAT what Sally said..."I'm deeply grateful to Scarlett for providing the nearly instant videos. Now I can see and hear Clay's performances as I read the attendees recaps in your next-day blog, Caro." I do not know how the two of you do it, but I THANK YOU BOTH.

Hi Caro, Love reading your blogs and am enjoying the Video's very much. When he sings You Don't Have To Say You Love Me..I just melt. He makes it so romantic. Loved him doing the Merengue. The TnT Concert Tour has been one of the best!

GREETINGS!

This blog is about my passions: family, friends, music, teaching, journalism, Carolina basketball, and Clay Aiken. Since 2007, visitors have dropped by from 170 countries, the most recent being Cuba, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Nicaragua, and Aruba. Hope to see y'all again soon! - Caro